Giguère aware time in Toronto may be up

LOS ANGELES — There are several layers of resurgence needed before Jean-Sébastien Giguère can begin to think toward next season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ veteran goalie must first conquer a terribly stubborn groin ailment that has sidelined him for much of the past four weeks. Then he must prove he can perform effectively over a span of games. Only then can Giguère think about prolonging an NHL career that began with the Hartford Whalers in 1997.

The lucrative contract he signed with Brian Burke when the two were part of the Anaheim Ducks — Giguère’s salary this season is US$7-million —expires on July 1 and the goalie is not expected to be with the Leafs next year. That isn’t his desire, mind you. Giguère and his family have quickly grown to enjoy life in hockey-crazed Toronto, but all signs point to the Leafs promoting James Reimer to play with Jonas Gustavsson next year.

It is possible Giguère could be gone before them. Though he still has the no-movement clause Burke gave him in Anaheim — chiefly as a result of his son requiring specialized medical care in southern California — he said he would strongly consider waiving the contract privilege if Burke asked him to.

The trade deadline is Feb. 28.

“Right now, I’m not in that type of situation, but if I can get back to playing at a good level before the deadline, it could be different,” Giguère, 33, said prior to last night’s Leafs-Kings game at the Staples Center. “If another team wanted me for the last part of the season and the playoffs, I would discuss the issue with my family and make a decision. But I’d be open to it.”

Such a mind-set is based, almost solely, on the friendship and respect between Giguère and Burke.

“I truly believe that Burkie helped me last year by bringing me to Toronto,” Giguère said. “With my salary and another year left on my contract, that probably wasn’t an easy trade for him to make. It was certainly a bit of a risk. So if it came down to a deal he wanted to make at the deadline this year, I think I would have to respect his wish and, at least, talk with my family.

“When you think about it, that type of situation would actually be pretty good because it would mean I am healthy and back to playing well. So I hope I’m in a position to make a good call for myself, my wife, and my kids.”

Giguère’s numbers this season are rather pedestrian. He has played in 18 games with a 2.80 goals-against average and .894 save percentage. His 8-7-2 record with a mediocre team is respectable, but he has not seen action since Dec. 16 when he left a game in Calgary.

The groin issue first appeared as a slight muscle tear in mid-November, forcing Giguère to miss six games. He returned for two games in early December; sat for two more, then played in parts of four games before shutting it down after an onslaught of goals by the Flames in the second period of that match at the Saddledome.

“I have to prove I can get over this thing,” said Giguère, who is slated to play the finale of the current road trip in Phoenix on Thursday. “Once I am healthy, then it’s up to me to see if I get another contract next year. Obviously I want to keep playing. I think I have lots left in my body, but my body has to cooperate.”